Yankees break another MLB home run record as Trent Grisham powers offense past Pirates

The New York Yankees continued their powerful start to the 2025 Major League Baseball season by smashing yet another team home run record, this time thanks to an unexpected power surge from outfielder Trent Grisham. On Saturday night at PNC Park, the Yankees powered past the Pittsburgh Pirates with a 10-4 victory that etched their name into the MLB history books once again, bringing their total to a record-setting 25 home runs across their first eight games.

This historic milestone, confirmed by MLB researcher Sarah Langs, marks the most home runs hit by any team in the first eight games of a regular season. It surpasses the previous record set by the 2000 St. Louis Cardinals. For the Yankees, this is not just a statistical oddity—it is a statement about their intent for the 2025 campaign, built around relentless offensive production.

Who is Trent Grisham and how did he become the unlikely hero?

While fans and analysts have come to expect towering blasts from usual suspects like Aaron Judge or Juan Soto, it was Trent Grisham, a defensive specialist with limited offensive track record, who seized the spotlight against Pittsburgh. Entering the game with 71 career home runs across 629 games, Grisham was not a name commonly associated with headline-making slugging feats. However, his performance on Saturday night defied expectations and demonstrated the depth and versatility of the Yankees’ roster.

Grisham opened the scoring with a solo shot in the third inning and followed it up with a three-run homer in the fifth, giving the Yankees a lead they would not relinquish. His offensive explosion not only lifted New York to victory but also contributed directly to the team’s record-breaking home run tally. Batting .500 so far this season, Grisham is showing that his role in the Yankees’ outfield may be evolving beyond just Gold Glove-calibre defense.

Traded to New York as part of the blockbuster Juan Soto deal, Grisham was initially expected to take on a rotational role. However, injuries to key players like Cody Bellinger—who is currently nursing a back issue—have opened the door for more regular at-bats. Grisham has made the most of them. His early-season resurgence reflects a broader trend in the Yankees’ lineup, where contributions are coming from top to bottom.

How has Aaron Judge’s consistency set the tone for the Yankees?

Aaron Judge, widely regarded as one of the most feared hitters in baseball, has once again proved indispensable to the Yankees’ hot start. The two-time American League MVP already has six home runs under his belt this season, including one in Friday’s matchup that gave him 321 career home runs in his first 1,000 games. That mark ties him with none other than Babe Ruth for most home runs by a Yankee through 1,000 games.

Judge’s presence in the lineup provides not only power but also leadership. Known for his patient approach and discipline at the plate, he sets the tone for the Yankees’ offense. With players like Grisham and Anthony Volpe stepping up alongside him, the team is benefiting from a rare combination of star-driven excellence and unexpected breakout performances.

What does the Yankees’ offensive dominance mean for their pitching concerns?

Despite the fireworks at the plate, the Yankees are not without their issues. Chief among them is the state of their starting rotation, which has been plagued by injuries and inconsistency. Marcus Stroman, who started Saturday’s game, showcased both his potential and his volatility. After cruising through the first three innings, he struggled in the fourth, giving up four runs on three hits and issuing three walks. The outing lasted only four innings and raised additional questions about the depth and dependability of the rotation.

With ace Gerrit Cole sidelined and other arms still working their way back to full health, the Yankees’ starting pitching remains a concern. However, the bullpen has offered some relief. On Saturday, relievers Tim Hill, Mark Leiter Jr., Fernando Cruz, and Ryan Yarbrough combined to pitch five scoreless innings, shutting down any hopes of a Pirates comeback. If the offense can continue to provide this level of production, it could buy time for the rotation to stabilise.

Can the Yankees sustain this offensive pace?

Although it is early in the 2025 season, the Yankees’ power numbers have already reached historic levels. But the question now is whether such a torrid pace can be maintained across the grind of a 162-game campaign. While it is unlikely that any team can continue hitting home runs at this record-setting clip, the Yankees appear built to remain among the top run-producing teams in the league.

The offensive depth is particularly encouraging. In addition to Judge and Grisham, shortstop Anthony Volpe delivered a key three-RBI performance on Saturday with a bases-clearing double in the fifth inning. Veteran first baseman Paul Goldschmidt also turned in a three-hit performance, highlighting the breadth of talent and experience in the Yankees’ lineup. When even the bottom of the order is producing, opponents are left with few safe options.

It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first time the Yankees have leaned heavily on power to fuel their success. The franchise has a long history of home run dominance dating back to the days of Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Mickey Mantle. More recently, the 2019 Yankees hit a then-franchise record 306 home runs in a single season. The current roster may not reach that number, but its early pace is raising eyebrows across the league.

What does this mean for the Pirates and the broader National League?

For the Pittsburgh Pirates, Saturday’s defeat continued a rough start to their season, dropping their record to 2-6. Despite a promising offensive inning that saw them briefly tie the game, they were ultimately unable to match the Yankees’ relentless hitting. The loss exposes the challenges the Pirates face when squaring off against top-tier lineups. While their young core holds promise, the gap in roster depth and experience was evident throughout the contest.

More broadly, interleague matchups like this one offer a glimpse at how the balance of power may be shifting—or in some cases, remaining firmly intact—between the American League and National League. The Yankees’ performance reinforced the notion that the AL East remains one of the most competitive and formidable divisions in all of baseball.

As the season progresses, the Pirates will look to rebound and find consistency, particularly from their bullpen, which could not contain the Yankees’ explosive fifth inning. Meanwhile, other National League teams watching from the sidelines will surely be taking notes on how to neutralize the Bronx Bombers’ power game.

Why the Yankees’ hot start matters in the long run

Opening the season with a 6-2 record and rewriting the record books in the process, the Yankees are sending a clear message to the rest of the league. Even as questions persist about the durability of their rotation and the health of key players, the offense appears capable of carrying the load. Historical context matters here: teams that start fast often maintain momentum deep into the season, and while there are no guarantees in baseball, early dominance frequently correlates with postseason success.

With players like Trent Grisham proving they can rise to the occasion, and established stars like Aaron Judge continuing to perform at MVP levels, the Yankees are giving themselves margin for error. That flexibility will prove valuable as the team navigates injuries, slumps, and the long summer stretch ahead. If the rotation stabilizes, and if role players continue contributing, the Yankees could find themselves not just chasing records—but championships.